Synonyms of disputes

disputes 1 of 2

noun

plural of dispute

1

as in controversies

variance of opinion on a matter

a dispute over the proper pronunciation of "nuclear"

Synonyms & Similar Words

• controversies
• disputations
• disagreements
• debates
• differences
• contestations
• contentions
• dissensions
• difficulties
• firestorms
• conflicts
• clashes
• conflictions
• nonconcurrences
• quarrels
• arguments
• discords
• dissensuses
• collisions
• fights
• dissonances
• struggles
• misunderstandings
• altercations
• strifes
• bickers
• disaccords
• divisions
• combats
• divarications
• fallings-out
• kickups
• set-tos

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agreements
• harmonies
• accords
• consensuses
• acceptances
• compliances
• unanimities
• concords
• peaces

2

as in disagreements

an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions

after much dispute, the school committee decided that all backpacks would have to be stored in lockers during class hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disagreements
• quarrels
• altercations
• controversies
• fights
• arguments
• bickers
• misunderstandings
• brawls
• squabbles
• disputations
• skirmishes
• wrangles
• imbroglios
• feuds
• clashes
• spats
• tiffs
• rows
• debates
• contretemps
• differences
• battles royal
• cross fires
• donnybrooks
• fallings-out
• rhubarbs
• tussles
• scraps
• hassles
• kickups
• argle-bargles
• set-tos
• tangles
• argy-bargies
• protests
• contentions
• objections
• vendettas
• attacks
• protestations
• dissensions
• run-ins
• logomachies
• fisticuffs
• catfights
• affrays
• melees
• fracases
• fusses
• frays
• free-for-alls

disputes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of dispute

1

as in challenges

to demand proof of the truth or rightness of

a whole slew of relatives eager to dispute his claim to being the sole heir

Synonyms & Similar Words

• challenges
• questions
• contests
• doubts
• queries
• protests
• calls in question
• impeaches
• oppugns
• opposes
• objects (to)
• mistrusts
• fights
• resists
• kicks (about)
• combats

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• believes
• accepts
• embraces
• defends
• supports
• swallows
• advocates
• backs
• promotes
• champions
• endures
• tolerates
• abides
• stomachs

2

as in bickers

to express different opinions about something often angrily

hometown fans disputing with visiting fans over which had the better team

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bickers
• quarrels
• argues
• fights
• clashes
• squabbles
• debates
• brawls
• wrangles
• tiffs
• spats
• rows
• quibbles
• controverts
• hassles
• scraps
• locks horns
• falls out
• jars
• discusses
• brabbles
• altercates
• argufies
• mixes it up
• bandies words
• challenges
• butts heads
• contests
• contends
• dares
• protests
• tangles
• objects
• defies
• fusses
• cavils
• kicks
• nitpicks
• considers

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agrees
• accepts
• consents
• coexists
• concurs
• gets along
• assents

3

as in debates

to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion

in an extended session the city council disputed the need for a new high school

Synonyms & Similar Words

• debates
• discusses
• argues
• reviews
• talks over
• moots
• canvasses
• agitates
• bats (around or back and forth)
• bandies
• hashes (over or out)
• raises
• speaks (about)
• talks (about)
• considers
• propounds
• stirs up
• weighs
• introduces
• broaches
• talks out
• hammers out
• forges
• thrashes (out)
• deliberates
• wrestles (with)
• chews over

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of disputes

Noun

Gilbertson’s involvement in the ports grew out of a series of chaotic mergers that in the 1990s led to endless disputes among shippers and the railroads about whose cargo would move first. — John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Trump declined to endorse Thune for a future term as leader amid disputes over passing the SAVE America Act and eliminating the filibuster. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 2026

The Hanna-Barbera cat and mouse — formerly a throwaway bunch of cartoons, now a ‘franchise’ — are all about triflingly menial disputes taken to absurd heights, leading to surreal sight gags and baroque violence. — Caspar Salmon, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

If fraud occurs, restoration support may also help reduce the burden of dealing with calls, paperwork and disputes. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026

In rural areas, food insecurity helps armed groups recruit soldiers and causes disputes over scarce land and water resources. — Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026

If the President gets his way, gold seals will be affixed to the outside of the finished building before the legal disputes are resolved. — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

An e-bike ban at Newport Beach schools has sparked disputes between students and neighbors over kids parking in their neighborhoods. — Michele Gile, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Creators and brands whose commercial relationships are built around reaching young audiences on Instagram should be thinking about this now before the disputes begin. — Ashlee Difuntorum, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

Lawyer Coby DuBose of Houston, who represents former safety Jacob Fields, also disputes the allegations laid out in the arrest warrant affidavit signed by TCU police Sgt. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026

In a statement on its website, Amazon disputes the allegations and says its current advertising system has saved advertisers billions of dollars. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Mundubile disputes the account, saying his aides were unarmed. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Several courts have found that the ban was likely rooted in animus and violates servicemembers constitutional rights to due process and equal protection – a conclusion the government strongly disputes. — Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026

Budner disputes key parts of West’s account and says the couple did agree to the baby’s treatment. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026

The district encompasses an increasingly Democratic-leaning Omaha metro area of 1 million-plus and its more conservative suburbs — famous for steaks and the Reuben sandwich’s birthplace, though New York disputes that. — Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

The publisher of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the journal where the study appeared, disputes that. — Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 24 Aug. 2026

Mayar disputes the link between late-night food vendors and the violence officials point to, noting that bar crowds remain after midnight. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2026